the vice president, joe biden, spent a lot of time with house democrats today. that was a very persuasive presentation, house democratic officials tell me. there are lots of votes on the democratic side. the question is can republicans provide enough on their side to get this deal done. the white house tonight is a bit hopeful. >> mason: major, is this an effort by vice president joe biden or is the president himself getting involved in making calls? >> the president is not making calls white house officials tell me-- for a practical reason. he doesn't have good relationship with house republicans and the white house decided it would do more harm than good. the vice president has an excellent relationship with the house democrats and the white house is basically letting house republicans work this out for themselves and they hope they will sometime later this evening. >> mason: we hope so, too, major garrett at the white house, thanks, major. the new year brought in new laws around the country. at midnight, maryland became the ninth state to allow marriage. in c